Foot-corrective appliance



Jan. 1s, 1927.

J. B. sAuMs FOOT CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE Filed Jan. 27. 1922 Patented Jan. 18,` 1927.

UNITED STATES `1,614,934 PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH B. SAUMS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T DR. WOOD'FOOT APPLQIANCE.'

' CO., A CORPORATION .OF OHIO.

. FOOT-CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE.

Application led January 27, 1922. Serial No. 532,183. I

This invention relates to foot corrective appliances.

Many people, especially those of advanced years, suffer from the weakening of theA supporting ligaments of the metatarsal bones. This condition results in a weakened or fallen metatarsal arch. Many compliations accompany and arise from this weakened condition. There are pains and cramps l0 :in the feet and legs. The joints may become partially and permanently dislocated and displaced. Undue weight is thrown upon the displaced and frequently dropped metatarsal heads, causing eallosites to form 415 on the soles' of the feet. Toes are. displaced and corns-and bunions form. Weak ankles, loss of balance and elongated feet may result. y

One of the objects of this invention 1s to provide an improved appliance which will serve to prevent and correct the before mentioned conditions. j

Another object is to provide an improved foot appliance which will transversely contract the foot and support the same. l

.Another object is to provide an improved combined arch bandage and anterior or metatarsal arch support.

Another object is to provide a support which may be readil adjusted or fitted to meet different condltions of the feet.

' Another object is to provide an appliance which may be Worn with comfort.

Otherl objects and advantages will hereinafter appear. 7

An 'embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, iny

Which-f.

Fig. 1 shows the appliance in position on 40 a foot.

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the appliance. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan thereof. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the appliance with the pad 'pocket open.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the appliance. Fig. (Suis` a bottom view of a foot with the appliance in position thereon, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective of three different size pads such as may be used in the pocket of theappliance to raise and support the bottom of the foot.

In general the appliance comprises a bandage, preferably of elastic material, for tightly encircling the foot in the region of the transverse andia'nterior metatarsal arches and a more or less resilient support held in a pocket beneath the arches and acting to elevate the same.

The appliance has a bandage 1, which may be a closed band of suitable material sucli as elastic webbing. The bandage is slightly tapered, the larger opening being toward the yrear or toward the heel of the foot when applied. The bandage' should bevof such 65 size as to quite tightly embrace the foot in theregion of the transverseand anterior arches.

A pad receiving pocket 2 is secured to the bottom of bandage 1. This pocket may be formed of an upper section 3 extending over the bottom of the bandage, and a bottom section 4 extending under the bottom of the bandage.v These sections may be made of suitable material such as leather.

Upper section 3 may be of slightly stiffer material than bottom section-4. The rear edge 5 of upper section 3 may be shaped to substantiallyI conform tothe rear edge of bandage 1. Its forward edge, which projects beyond the forward edge of the bandage, is given a somewhat pointed curve. 6. Bottom section 4 may be of oval or elliptical shape and somewhat smaller than the upper section. l

The upper section of the pocket is secured, in its longitudinal central portion, to bandage 1 by suitable means such as stitching 7 The forward edge of the bottom `section is secured to the upper section just back 9 0 of the forward'eurved edge 'of the upper section, by stitching 8. vThis stitching extends around the edge or periphery not' j quite to the bandage. The rest of the edge.. v ofthe bottom section is left free. Thus 9" there is formed a rearwardly opening pocket entirely within the plan outline of the .bandage, the closed end of which is infront of the bandage. The lower section is made of relatively flexible leather so that thepocket *10'0 is readily opened. The pocket just described is for receiving and holding padding for supporting and elevating the bottom of the foot. This padding r may consist of one or more small soft rub-'10 ber pads, although other material such as felt, etc., may be used.

Three pads 10, 11', and 12 of vdifferent sizes are shown in Fig. 6. These pads may be of generally oval or elliptical shape and no lessens foot fatigue.

or more of these pads may be inserted into the pocket depending u on the amount and character of the correctlon required. After the pad or pads are positioned in the pocket the rear edges of sections 3 and 4 may be secured together by suitable means, such as stitching, although this ordinarily may not be necessary.

rlhis appliance acts as a bandage to transversely force together and retain the metatarsal bones and ligaments in proper position. The foot is then prevented from spreading at 'the ball, or spreading is corrected and lessened. The bandage etfect also tends to tlnowithe end of the large toe outwardly to normal position reducing bunions and correcting the deformity.

The appliance at the same time acts as a support Aor pad to lift and support the metatarsal bones and ligaments. tion assists in the correction, tends to eliminate and prevent callouses on the ball of the foot, removes bone and nerve pressure and Having described my invention ,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

l. A foot "corrective appliance comprising a bandage to be applied transversely about the foot; a pocket structure open at This ac-' its rear end, and secured to that part of the bandage to lie under the foot7 said pocket structure having a closed end and an open end, said closed end lying forwardly of and without the plan outline of the bandage and said open end lying withinthe plan outline of said bandage, and a foot supporting pad insertible within said pocket.

2. `A foot-corrective appliance comprising a bandage to be applied transversely about the foot, an upper pocket section overlying and extending forwardly beyond the bandage, a lower confronting pocket section underlying the bandage opposite the upper section and also extending forwardly beyond the bandage, the forward end of said pocketbeing closed and the open end lyingl entirely within the plan outline of said bandage, and means securing the extended parts of the two sections together outside the bandage to form an open pocket between the bandage and the lower section of the pocket.

3. A foobcorrective appliance comprising a continuous elastic bandage to be applied transversely about the foot; and a pocket for holding pads beneath the bandage, said pocket comprising an upper section overlying, secured to and extending forwardly beyond the edge of the bandage, and. a lower section secured only to the extending part of the upper section and underlying the bandage.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribed my name.

JOSEPH B. SAUMS. 

